“The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name! Holy is He!” Psalm 99:1-3 ESV
Awesome! Hey, you did an awesome job on that project. You are awesome. It’s an awesome task, but we’re up for it. That was an awesome performance. Awesome party!
Do we know how to trivialize a word or what?! Yes, we do—we’re awesome at it!
So when we read the words “awe” or “awesome” in Scripture, we tend to automatically devalue the import of the word, because we apply its modernized, watered-down meaning. We think, super cool, great, impressive, excellent—all positive, nice words, but not even on par with Cambridge’s definition, which is more accurate than my old standby Merriam-Webster.
Cambridge defines awesome as”causing feelings of great admiration, respect, or fear; extremely good.” Our unspoken definition is closer to “really good,” “excellent,” and “I truly like it.”
Let’s look at “awe” and “awesome” in God’s Word.
The Old Testament is filled with examples of God’s awe on display:
God rolled back the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross on dry ground, then released the walls of water to drown the Egyptian army, rescuing His chosen people.(Exodus 14-15)
“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 ESV
At Mount Sinai, the Israelites saw a frightening, yet thrilling display of God’s awesome power when the mountain shook, lightning flashed, thunder roared, a trumpet sounded, and God spoke directly to His trembling people. A little over a month later, the Israelites begged Aaron to create an idol for them to worship, because they doubted that Moses would return from the mountain.
They had seen the awesome display of God’s power, then forgot because of their fear and lack of faith.
When Moses returned, He brought with him God’s punishment for His unfaithful people. After judgment, punishment, and restoration, Moses reminded the people, “Don’t forget the awe of God. Remember what He has done, and who He is.”
“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God. …You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve Him and hold fast to Him, and by His name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:17, 20-21 ESV
In Luke 5:17-26, Jesus was teaching in a packed house. Because Jesus spoke with such authority, the people wanted to listen to what He had to say and see a display of His powers. Some longed for miracles and healing, while others looked for relief from the heavy burdens they carried. The Pharisees and religious leaders were there to check out the new teacher, whose growing influence was beginning to worry them.
The house was so tightly packed that no one else could enter. Four friends who believed Jesus could heal their paralytic friend were determined to get him in front of Jesus. Abandoning the doors and windows for entry, they hoisted their friend on a hammock to the top of the house. Once in place, they removed the roof tiles and lowered the paralyzed man through the hole in the roof, directly in front of Jesus.
Jesus looked at the paralytic and told him his sins were forgiven. Immediately, the religious elites became outraged.
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus replied, “What’s easier to say? Your sins are forgiven, or get up and walk? I said this so you would know ‘that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins.'” Turning to the man lying before Him, Jesus said, “Stand up. Pick up your bed and go home.” Immediately, the man stood up, grabbed his hammock, and left, praising and glorifying God as he went.
The Scripture says that “amazement seized” the crowd, “they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.'”
Extraordinary. Unexplainable. Miraculous. Awe-inspiring work of the Messiah.
Our God is the Awesome God. He demands and He deserves our reverence, obedience, worship, and faith.
When we speak of God and use the word awesome, we must remind ourselves of all that word entails.
Awesome speaks to His transcendence. He is above all, He has no equal, no rival, there is no one greater.
Awesome speaks to His omnipotence. He is all-powerful; there is nothing He cannot do within the character of who He is.
Awesome speaks to His sovereignty. God is the absolute ruler of all creation; nothing exists outside of His control. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Awesome speaks to the totality of who God is.
Awe recognizes that it is the correct response to the awesomeness of our God.
Awe recognizes that we are the created. God is our Creator.
Awe recognizes that all that we have and all we are is a gift from God.
Awe recognizes that He holds our life and eternity in His hands, and loving, obedient surrender should be our joyful response.
“The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The LORD is great in Zion; He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name! Holy is He!” Psalm 99:1-3 ESV
So, when you refer to something or someone as “awesome,” take a moment to remember what that word means as it pertains to God. Then say a quiet prayer of thanksgiving and express your awe for the God Who is most awesome and Who loves you most perfectly.